Pokemon Art Academy

Pokemon is an ever evolving universe of characters. The most recent addition has the player take on the role of an artist going to the Pokemon Art Academy. As such the player learns how to use various methods and tools to make beautiful poke-art.

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As a young artist enrolled in Pokemon Art Academy, players learn from Professor Andy to draw some of their favorite Pokemon. In lessons which get harder and harder progressing from simple shape design and coloring to shading and blending users go from basic drawing to full color shaded Pokemon in all their glory. The Pokemon come from all the known regions so your favorite is probably involved, Little Man loves drawing Pikachu and the little critter is there. There are also various tolls at your disposal as an artist from pencils to paint brushes the possibilities for the artwork is only held back by your child’s imagination. The lessons involved show step by step how to create wonderful works of art which can then be practiced in free mode which lets players draw anything they wish. The drawings themselves can be posted to the Miiverse.
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Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

toys and nintendo 050Donkey Kong has been around since the early 1980’s in the arcade game Donkey Kong.  Since then Donkey Kong has hopped from good to bad many times.  Then 1994 happened and Donkey Kong Country would solidify Donkey Kong as a Nintendo legend.  This Rare made game brought Donkey Kong to the lime light with a CGI look, new music and Mario-type platforming with his side kick Diddy Kong.  Country is back and on the Wii U with Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze.  This game is a fun romp through Donkey Kong and makes for a great game to play with kids.

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Tropical Freeze starts with a  birthday party which is interrupted by the evil Snowmad armada.  Once it arrives they proceed to freeze over the tropical landscape.  Out heroes Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Kranky Kong.  When Donkey Kong is teamed up with on of his cohorts the team has new powers.  Diddy Kong has a rocket pack, Dixie has helicopter hair and Kranky has a bounce staff.  These powers open up areas of each level which were previously unreachable.  The player has the option to either do your best to finish or do your best to collect everything.  This may seem difficult but with some thinking and some luck all are reachable.
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Getting Our Game On

We are in NYC today, checking out some of the newest family and kids game at the Nintendo World Store.   There will be more to share with you soon, keep an eye out for an upcoming post with the full details and more information.
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Nintendo 2DS

 

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With every new console innovation, a bright shiny new technology is expected, but what if instead of adding something new, some components are improved.  This improvement has long been the norm for Nintendo.  First release a new innovative system, then tweak it, make it better, different and more accessible.  This is the idea behind the new Nintendo 2DS handheld system.  The handheld is based on the 3DS handheld but has tweaked a bit to have a lower price point, and more accessibility to children of all ages.  This in addition to a big design change gives players a new way to play their 3DS and DS games.

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The 2DS in comparison to the 3DS is now one solid unit, no hinge in the middle.  Also it has a more tablet-feel, with a slight tilt when put down, to rest easier on a hard surface and play in this manner.  The most remarkable characteristic of the unit is the removal of the 3D feature.  The 3DS has a slider which can increase the 3D experience or remove it completely to a 2D gaming experience.  This 2D experience is the way in which gameplay is featured on the 2DS.  You may be thinking so then why not just get a DS?  The reason is this unit could be called a DS2.  The 2DS can play most DS games as well as all 3DS games,with crisp sharp graphics and some incredibly fun games like Pokemon X and Y and Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds, the entertainment value is quite high.  With the reduction of 3D the price of the 2DS was also reduced, leading to a more wallet friendly way to get the newest system and games in the hands of you and your kids.
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